Kruger, Durban, Cape Town and Garden Route 13 days

Kruger, Durban, Cape Town and Garden Route 13 days

Kruger, Durban, Cape Town and Garden Route 13 day itinerary
Indian family 6 adults and 1 child approx cost R9965 per adult

Day 1: Arrive Johannesburg
You will be met and transferred to the Sunrock Guest House which is only 3km from the airport where 3 x double/ twin rooms have been reserved with breakfast included
This 19 room lodge epitomizes hospitality , a family run guest house where all rooms have en suite bathrooms, each room has its own TV with 14 DSTV channels to choose from. All rooms have tea or coffee making facilities and the rooms are serviced every morning. A delicious breakfast of muesli, fruit juices, egg bacon and toast, all done to order is included in the rate and is served in the breakfast room. A fully licensed bar is also available. Lunch and dinners are available on request.
The swimming pool and garden is available for guests to relax in , or you can enjoy a sundowner in the Lapa next to the swimming pool. The lodge has a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere; full of books, music, good wine and home cooked meals. Surrounded by a beautiful garden with mature tropical trees, green lawns and a cool blue sparkling pool, here you can kick your shoes off and unwind, rather than squeeze yourself into a small box like airport hotel .

Day 2: Johannesburg to Private Game Lodge
You need to be at the City Lodge, which is down the road, at 06h30 , where you will board the mini bus and head for the Greater Kruger Park area, arriving at our Safari Lodge just after lunch. We settle into camp after which you have the option to go on a late afternoon/evening game drive in open 4x4 vehicles. Sun downer drinks are enjoyed at one of the waterholes before continuing our game drive into the night. After an exciting evening, we return to camp to enjoy a traditional South African meal around the log fire. (D)

Day 3: Private Game Lodge to Kruger National Park
An early rise, as we make our way to the world renowned Kruger National Park. We enter the Kruger Park through one of the central gates, where our wildlife experience unfolds. We enjoy breakfast at one of the picnic spots before continuing through the Park. The entire day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes en- route. Our safari takes us along some of the best game drive routes that Kruger has to offer. We depart the Park at sunset and return to the Lodge for an evening of relaxation.(BD)

Day 4 : Private Game Lodge to Private Game Lodge
After a hearty breakfast we spend the day at leisure, relaxing at the Lodge or taking part in the various optional activities on offer. We end the day with a late afternoon/evening game drive. Guided by the aid of spotlights, we track the elusive creatures of the night, after which we return to the Lodge to enjoy a boma dinner.(BLD)

Day 5: Private Game Lodge to Johannesburg then to Durban
After an early morning wake-up we venture out on a morning nature walk. Escorted by qualified rangers,we get skilled in nature’s finer details like bird , tree & spoor identification. We enjoy brunch at the Lodge prior to driving along the Drakensberg Escarpment to view the impressive Three Rondawels overlooking the Blyde River Canyon. There after we continue our journey to Johannesburg to be dropped at O.R. Tambo airport between 17h00 and 18h00. (B)
Includes:
All ground transportation, services of experienced qualified driver/guide, all included highlights, meals as specified on itinerary, entrance fees & accommodation per itinerary.
Excludes:
Travel Insurance, flights, items of a personal nature, drinks & optional activities

Suggested flight to Durban on 1Time Airlines:
1T 207 Joburg Durban 19h00 20h10 - R519 per person
You will be met and transferred to the Albany Hotel, 225 Smith Street, Durban where
3 x twin / double rooms have been reserved with breakfast included.
The Albany Hotel is a Durban Central Hotel that specialises in offering the very best hotel accommodation at affordable rates , opposite the City Hall, and adjacent to the famous Natal Playhouse Theatre, The Workshop - Shopping Centre, Durban's Bay is a 200 metre stroll down Albany Grove, and a ten minute stroll to Durban's Yacht Mole, and in the area is uShaka Marine World and Durban's famous beachfront, The Golden Mile.

Day 6 & 7:Durban to Cape Town
Transfer to Durban airport to check into your flight an hour before departure
Suggested flight on Kulula airlines :
MN6306 Durban Cape Town 18h00 20h10 - R699 per person
You will be met at the airport and transferred to Inn on the Square Hotel, Green Market Square, Cape Town where 3 x twin/double rooms have been reserved with breakfast included.
Offering comfortable ensuite rooms, there are also interleading rooms for families, air conditioning, safe, hair dryer, cable TV and all the mod cons that you would expect from a good three star hotel, very conveniently located on Greenmarket Square which boasts stalls where mostly funky clothing, souvenirs, books, local crafted shoes and leather goods, local and rasta music and always the entertainment of buskers and the informal sellers.
Guests can also take advantage of the heated roof top swimming pool and sundeck that has magnificent views of Table Mountain and there is also a gym and sauna for those with extra energy to burn.
The Dish restaurant with an alfresco terrace overlooks the vibrant Greenmarket Square and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner with an extensive a la carte menu and a wide variety of other dishes complemented by an impressive selection of local and imported wines. Before and after dinner you are invited to enjoy a cigar and a cognac in the Famous Cigar Lounge or choose from an extensive range of fine wines housed in the private cellar.

Day 8:Cape Town to Cape Agulhas 250 km
After breakfast take a stroll down Long Street to go and collect the rental cars then return to fetch your luggage and head out along the N2 , up and over Sir Lowry’s pass and on to Hermanus , a quaint seaside town on Walker Bay, which is the biggest breeding ground for Southern Right Whales in the world, there are numerous restaurants and coffee shops so this would be the ideal stop for lunch. Cape Agulhas is the southern most tip of Africa and is approximately 110 km from Hermanus, please make your way to Cape Agulhas Backpackers where 3 x twin / double rooms have been reserved with breakfast included

Day 9, 10 & 11:Cape Agulhas to Plettenberg Bay 480 km
The drive to Plett will take at least five hours so you can explore the area, take a walk down to the harbour or even a boat ride racing the dolphins, Knysna is an interesting town, about 35 kms before Plettenberg Bay, with a tidal lagoon and a narrow entrance to the sea called the Heads, which has claimed many a ship that miscalculated the ferocity of this entrance. 3 x twin/ double rooms have been reserved at the Crescent Hotel with breakfast included
Reasonably priced accommodation for the family, and just a short walk away from Robberg Beach and Central Beach, two of the best swimming and tanning beaches in the area. Also close to restaurants, a shopping centre and chemist and dvd store. There is so much to do around the area, Birds of Eden is the largest free-flight aviary in the world. The sanctuary encompasses 2.3ha of partly forested land, covered by a 3.2ha mesh and criss-crossed by a 1.2km walkway. There are whale and dolphin cruises, an elephant sanctuary, the highest commercial bungy jump in the world – 216 metres, a tree top canopy tour, monkey land, beautiful beaches and indigenous forests, local crafts, potters and furniture makers

Day 12: Sun 19 Dec 10 – Plettenberg Bay to Oudtshoorn - 154 km
After breakfast , head south and inland over the Outeniqua mountain range and into the semi desert Little Karoo where you will find the feather capital of the early 19th century , Oudtshoorn, make your way to Oasis Shanti where 3 x double/ twin room have been reserved on a room only basis

Oudtshoorn had its first claim to fame in the 1860's when ostrich farms were set up – mainly in Europe - to meet the demand for decorative ostrich feathers. Apart from a 2-year lull after 1885, a result of the fickleness of the fashion trade, the industry thrived until the slump of 1914, since then it has never fully revived. During the 'feather boom' a number of excellent architects such as George Wallis, Charles Bullock and JE Vixeboxse, opened offices here and by the time of the slump had accomplished much in providing a distinctive architectural heritage for Oudtshoorn, which reflects the opulence and splendour of the Ostrich Feather Boom of 1860-1914.

Today ostriches are farmed mainly for the production of exquisite leather products, as a source of meat and as a tourist attraction. Feathers are still in demand for events like the Rio Carnival in Brazil and the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France.

The Cango Caves: One of the worlds great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. It is situated close to the Klein Karoo Town of Oudtshoorn. Mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours, a subterranean wonderland. Regular guided tours daily.

The Ostriches: Amidst the 400 ostrich farms surrounding the town, 3 have distinguished themselves worthy to be named " show farms". Become exposed to this exotic bird species, the largest in the world. Guided tours available.

Crocodiles: Gaze with the awe at the slithering reptiles species from all over the world. Imagine... more than 400 crocodiles and alligators in their prehistoric unattractiveness. They're being bred here and they're awfully nice, as long as you don't get too close!

Cheetahs: A highly successful breeding station of this threatened species. . . -one of the only two in the southern hemisphere. One of the foremost examples of Eco-tourism in the world and a superb mixture of conservation and tourism. You can get yourself photographed cuddling a cheetah cub, the fastest animal on land.

Day 13:Oudtshoorn to Stellenbosch 426 km
This is a spectacular drive along the R62 which passes through a number of farming towns and mountain passes, interesting farm stalls line the road and mountains tower on both sides of the valley for many kilometres. Stellenbosch is the heart of the winelands and this second oldest town, which is lined with 300 year old oak trees, is a university town with close on 30 000 students during term time. Please make your way to Banghoek Place , 193 Banghoek Road , where 3 x twin / double rooms have been reserved on a room only basis. There is a fabulous north Indian restaurant called Bukhara in the town centre, where you may choose to have dinner at.

Your guest house is situated a couple of blocks from Stellenbosch University and it is three to four more blocks to the centre of the town, pedestrians and bicycles are the most common way of getting around in this second oldest town in South Africa, the Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture is evident all over town and the increased tourism has brought about many sidewalk cafes and restaurants, interspersed between fashion, souvenir, art, leather and jewelery outlets, there is a relaxed buzz in this very quaint town that is most pleasing to wander around.
There is a swimming pool at the guest house which will be welcomed in summer as temperatures can soar to high 30s. There are 16 ensuite rooms in a refurbished house that has warm wooden facades, the room and bathroom furnishings are Afro simple and minimalist , there are a few common areas scattered around the guest house where guests can relax or share travel stories with other guests or one could take time out in the hammock under the trees, next to the pool.

Day 14:Stellenbosch to Cape Town airport
Your last day to enjoy the beautiful winelands before making your way to Cape Town airport to be there by 16h00 and return your rental cars , then check in to EK 771 that departs Cape Town at 18h10

Included in the above cost:
* 3 x twin / double rooms at Sunrock Guest House with breakfast (child included in double room in all accommodation) for 1 night
* 4 day Kruger Private Lodge Safari , All ground transportation, services of experienced qualified driver/guide, all included highlights, meals as specified on itinerary, entrance fees & accommodation per itinerary. 1 x Family room with 1 King size bed and 2 x twin beds
* Durban airport to hotel transfer
* 3 x twin/ double rooms at Albany Hotel with breakfast for 1 night
* Hotel to Durban airport transfer
* Cape Town airport to hotel transfer
* 3 x twin/ double rooms at Inn on the Square Hotel with breakfast for 2 nights
* 3 x twin/ double rooms at Cape Agulhas Backpackers with breakfast for 1 night
* 3 x twin/ double rooms at the Crescent Hotel with breakfast for 3 nights
* 3 x twin/ double rooms at Oasis Shanti Guest House for 1 night
* 3 x twin/ double rooms at Banghoek Place for 1 night

Excluded in the above cost:
* 2 x Group B rental car (Nissan Tiida 1.6l sedan with air-conditioning , power steering, ABS brakes) with unlimited kilometres and super cover insurance (zero excess in the event of an accident) R316 per day x 7 days x 2 cars equals R4424